Thailand: No Signs of Online Gambling Crackdown as Illegal Sites Continue to Thrive

Online gambling advertisements continue to be widely visible across Thailand, with numerous platforms claiming to be legitimate, boasting international licenses, bank-level security, and 24/7 customer service, and asserting millions of members. These platforms advertise thousands of games from major providers like Pragmatic Play, high RTP (Return to Player) slots, live casinos with professional dealers, sports betting, and poker. They emphasize their adherence to international certifications such as PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) and BMM Testlabs, along with 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, anti-fraud detection systems, and regular audits by independent bodies, to guarantee the safety of members' personal information and transactions. However, gambling other than the state lottery is strictly prohibited by law in Thailand, and online gambling is no exception. The fact that these platforms are advertising online and recruiting new members suggests that authorities' surveillance and regulation may be insufficient. While some platforms claim to have launched since 2020 and have millions of active members, their actual operations and legality require further verification. Many of these online gambling sites appear to be based in Indonesia, seemingly circumventing Thailand's legal regulations. The Thai government has expressed its commitment to strengthening the crackdown on illegal activities in the digital space, but its effectiveness regarding online gambling is considered limited. Source: INN News